Parent/Guardian Information

How do I know if PSEO is right for my student?

Review some of the important characteristics students should possess if they plan to pursue PSEO and the PSEO Student Expectations Agreement that all students sign. 

What costs are covered?

Review the Finances PSEO Handbook page for this information.

When can students register?

Students who signed up for the PSEO Registration Day webinar will be able to register for courses starting on July 22, 2025, at 9:45 am. Students must sign up for the PSEO Registration Day webinar in the PSEO First Steps online course in Canvas by June 22. The link for the course is in STEP 3: PSEO First Steps.

PSEO students register after most incoming freshmen, so courses will be limited. We recommend that students apply to more than one PSEO program (click on "List of Participating Postsecondary Institutions") to increase their chances of getting the courses they want and need.

What if my student can't attend the PSEO Registration Day webinar?

Students are required to sign up for the PSEO Registration Day webinar, even if they cannot attend. 

A video recording of how to register will be posted in the PSEO First Steps online course for students who cannot attend the webinar. Students who cannot attend the webinar can register themselves at their convenience. Advisor support is available following registration day.

Can I attend my student's PSEO Registration Day webinar?

Yes. The session will focus on helping students get registered for classes. However, if you attend any optional Zoom academic advisor drop-in hours after the Registration Day webinar, you must have your student complete the Advisor Records Release form. Ask your student to email the PSEO office (pseo@umn.edu) and ask them for the form. 

Can I meet with an advisor early?

Due to our small staff, advisors are unable to meet with prospective students and families prior to the Registration Day webinar. You can review the PSEO Handbook which has a tremendous amount of information about the program. For additional questions, contact our front desk at 612-626-1666. 

Advisors prepare a registration planning sheet for each student. Because of the online structure of our orientation experience, advisors will give those recommendations prior to registration opening. This will allow students to ask questions online prior to registration. Students will receive information about this. At the PSEO Registration Day webinar, students will meet with the PSEO advisors in a group setting and have the option to meet one-on-one via Zoom after registration if they have additional questions.

What courses can students take?

The PSEO First Steps online course will help guide students in what courses they can take. For a sample list of courses, view the Courses section on our website, which includes additional information about online class options. Additionally, each student will receive a personalized registration planning sheet from their PSEO advisor which will help guide them. The PSEO Handbook also lists possible courses to meet their high school requirements.

Will my student be able to get into the courses they need to graduate from high school?

Most likely. However, this depends on how flexible their schedule is and how flexible their high school is on what they accept to fulfill requirements. If your student is attending full-time and has flexible times on when they can be on campus, they most likely won’t have a problem fulfilling requirements. If a student is part-time, and only can be on campus for a short time (for example, Monday and Wednesdays from 9:00-10:00 am is the only time they can be on campus) then they will have a much harder time if they are looking for a specific course. We always recommend students have a backup plan, like applying to a different PSEO school (click on "List of Participating Postsecondary Institutions") or talking with their high school counselor. Additionally, our juniors have four semesters to take the courses they need, so it’s a bit easier for them to fulfill their requirements. Seniors, with only two semesters, might find it a bit more challenging.

What placement tests will my student need to take?

Students get information about placement tests in the PSEO First Steps online course. UMN Twin Cities PSEO students do not take the Accuplacer. We have our own math and chemistry placement system. More information can be found in our PSEO Handbook.

Will UMN credits transfer to other colleges and universities?

Potentially. We recommend contacting the college your student plans to attend to confirm their transfer credit policy. View the PSEO Handbook for more information. 

What type of student information can I access as a parent/guardian? 

Once a student registers for a course, their information becomes confidential and not available to third parties (including parents/guardians) without the student’s written consent. This includes student meetings with UMN staff, PSEO academic advisors, and UMN Twin Cities faculty. It does not matter how old the student is while attending classes. Learn more about student records privacy. Read more about student data in the PSEO Handbook.

How does transportation to and from the University work?

Since online course options for PSEO students are mostly limited, students will likely have to travel to the University of Minnesota campus to attend classes. PSEO does not cover this expense. This PSEO Handbook page overviews the resources available to help students navigate to and from campus.

What support resources are available to UMN Twin Cities PSEO students?

There are a variety of free academic, technological, and personal support resources. View this information in the PSEO Handbook.

What resources are not available to PSEO students?

Check out the restricted services in the PSEO Handbook.